Jean Sibelius - Symphony No. 2 in D Major Op. 43 (1902), Mvt. 3 and 4 (Leonard Bernstein)

http://www.sibelius.fi/english/musiikki/ork_sinf_02.htm
The second symphony is the most popular and most frequently recorded of Sibelius's symphonies. It is more skilfully orchestrated than the first symphony. The ideas of form are more mature and the violent Slavic gloom is replaced by a more classical touch and by the light of the Mediterranean.
The heroic and optimistic first and final movements of the symphony were exactly what the Finnish public needed in 1902, during a period of Russian oppression. The first public performance consolidated Sibelius's fame as a national hero. Soon the symphony was also triumphantly acclaimed abroad.

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[SuperRumpelstiltskin]

Not to be a troll or anything, but why does it say 1902 when this was made in 1988?

[13Orcun]

@SuperRumpelstiltskin why does it say do you think ?

[Numboss]

This is the best. Everyone else should shut up and fuck off.

[13Orcun]

@Numboss numboss, friend ! i didn t forget you great sibelian, i m still waiting for your videos about your passion on sibelius, i m also glad you think this is the best...

[berrik500]

@13Orcun

I do not agree. It is still an impressive performance, but as always, Bernstein is mannered and exaggerating, sometimes bombastic. The pause at 8.12 and the slowering at 15.22 are very mannered and at 20.54 there is no flow, the players are sawing. The triumphant final movement is showpiece america. No , I'm not overwhelmed. Barbirolli (not the HMV one) is my favourite.

[13Orcun]

@berrik500 i didn t say that i think this is the best, i ll say my opinion after focussing on it again, it was much time to not listening this, colin davis, barbirolli, salonen are the bests for me in general, after paavo jarvi kullervo, i ll look for his sibelius symphonies records

[fledgehog]

21:19 HORNGASM

[13Orcun]

@fledgehog :D

[LoverOfDebussy]

@yttreblemaker I don't know about the rest of Bernstein's performances with the VPO, but you're spot on about this one.

[RogerHWerner]

Sibelius wrote and first presented it in 1902 and the recording was by Leonard Bernstein in 1988.

[zhangmo77]

entre les couleur y goût on ne discute pas, but for me the Levine-Berlin rec is the best

[s121jean]

You can see and hear that Mr. Bernstein isn't respecting Sibelius' music very much, at least not this work.

[thefnbled]

@LoverOfDebussy Turn up your speakers and listen again! =p

[2cello]

6:20 "something big is coming"

6:35 - Thats a wompin bass drop.

[Numboss]

@LoverOfDebussy I must have been drunk when I left that over the top comment.. Of course there's every reason to dislike this interpretation of Sibelius, if that's how one feels. I shouldn't have said 'shut up and f**k off".That's just stupid. I personally just find this version very moving, with very satisfying emotional peaks. We all hear the same thing differently I guess. As for the 'best', do you have a favourite orchestra/conductor with the Sibelius 2?

[LoverOfDebussy]

@Haeronthegreat: Listen again, and again - though maybe to a more emotionally powerful version, like Dorati's old lp version, or another old one, Anthony Collins on London. Bernstein is the one guy I'd have thought would draw every last ounce of emotion from the last movement; but he didn't!